MANILA – The countdown begins for the thrilling battle of human strength and will power, as 30 athletes from across the globe arrive here to compete in the 41st World Strongest Man (WSM) to be staged in various Philippine tourist destinations.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), which facilitated the country’s hosting of WSM, said the popular sports television series will be shown in over 70 countries and will feature select destinations such as Rizal Park, Intramuros, Bonifacio Global City, Corregidor Island, Tagaytay City, Bataan, Davao City, and Coron Island, Palawan.

“This year’s edition of the World’s Strongest Man will not only be a thrilla in Manila as it will showcase some of our top tourist destinations and promote the country as a worthwhile venue for international sports events,” said DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo.

Englishman Eddie Hall, known as “The Beast,” returns to defend his crown as the “World’s Strongest Man” (WSM) against 29 other competitors, including former titleholders.

Hall triumphed in last year’s WSM competition held in the Republic of Botswana in South Africa. The 30-year old Hall posted a world record deadlift on a 1020-pound long bar.

Among the athletes who arrived on Tuesday were USA’s Bryan Benzel and Iceland’s Hafþór Júlíus “Thor” Björnsson, who plays Ser Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) in the Game of Thrones.

The WSM events will take place for nine days in various locations in and outside Metro Manila starting April 28, including four qualifying days (April 28–May 1), three rest days, and two days for the finals (May 5–6).

Among these locations are Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park; Intramuros, Manila; Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; and University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

The fun shoots, on the other hand, will feature tourist sites in Tagaytay City, Bataan, Corregidor Island, Davao City, and Coron Island, Palawan.

The WSM, started in 1977 by CBS Television, is a top-rated series in the UK shown annually in December, during summer in the US, and televised in over 70 countries.

Previous WSM competitions were held in Hollywood, California; West Virginia, Morocco, China, and Botswana, South Africa.

DOT Undersecretary Kat De Castro said the competition events include truck or airplane pulling, carrying a refrigerator, lifting an Atlas stone weighing over 1000 pounds, and lifting huge logs.

“The competition is about stamina, skill, tactics, training and strategy. Every event is designed to push the strongmen to their absolute limits, challenging not only their physical strength, but their agility and mental toughness, too,” said De Castro.

De Castro noted that the Filipinos’ passion for competition is drawing more and more international sports events being held in the country, like the recent Ironman triathlon in Davao City.